USR & Ground Water Quality in New Mexico Michelle Hunter, Chief - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

USR & Ground Water Quality in New Mexico

Michelle Hunter, Chief Ground Water Quality Bureau

USR Policy Framework

 NM does not have USR specific rules  WQCC discharge permit regulations  Underground Injection Control Program –

NM has primacy

Permitting Considerations

 All groundwater is protected  WQCC standards plus MCLs  Geochemical compatibility

Permitting Considerations

 Infiltration vs. Injection  Fresh vs. Reclaimed Wastewater  Contingencies  Financial & Technical Capacity of Utility

Other Aspects

 Drinking water – any issues?  Disinfection byproducts  Emerging contaminants  Recharge occurs naturally  Regulatory bar higher than for other

discharges

 Link with water resources management

Regulatory Update

 Rulemaking underway - 20.6.2 NMAC  NMED previously worked on ASR

Guidance – dust off